Glowing Reviews™ Mountain Fleece

A Perennial That Earns Its Name from Spring Through Frost

Glowing Reviews™ Mountain Fleece (Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Glowing Reviews') is one of those rare perennials that earns rave reviews from the moment it breaks ground. From its first flush of golden chartreuse leaves in spring to the final cerise-red flower spike of fall, this Proven Winners® introduction keeps the show going longer than almost anything else in the border. Also known as Bistorta amplexicaulis 'Glowing Reviews' or simply Red Bistort, this is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial native to the Himalayas and built for the long haul.

Two-Season Color in One Plant

What makes Glowing Reviews™ stand out from the crowd of its Persicaria cousins is the combination of foliage and flower working together rather than one carrying the other. The large, heart-shaped leaves emerge in a warm golden chartreuse that holds its color throughout the season without fading or bleaching, even in full sun. That's no small feat for golden foliage. Then, starting earlier in summer than most Persicaria varieties, slender cerise-red flower spikes rise above the leaf canopy on graceful wands, emerging from dark red buds that add their own visual interest before the flowers even open. The contrast is electric.

Where It Shines in the Landscape

This is a plant for the middle or back of a mixed perennial border, planted alongside blue-violet asters, tall ornamental grasses, or bold late-season companions like Eupatorium and Rudbeckia. It works equally well massed along a pond edge, stream bank, or rain garden, where the consistent moisture suits it perfectly. The clump-forming habit is well-behaved and not aggressive, making it a reliable team player rather than a garden bully. Planted in groups of three or more, the golden foliage reads as a glowing mass of color long before the blooms arrive.

Pollinators Love It

Late summer and fall can feel like a food desert for bees and butterflies, but Glowing Reviews™ keeps the buffet open. The dense flower spikes attract a steady parade of pollinators from midsummer through frost, making it a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly planting. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone, which is one more reason to consider it for gardens where browsing pressure is a problem.

A Better Choice for Golden Mountain Fleece

Compared to the well-known 'Golden Arrow' cultivar, Glowing Reviews™ blooms earlier in the season and grows with noticeably more vigor, filling in faster and producing a fuller, more robust clump. It tolerates clay soil without complaint and asks only for consistent moisture and a sunny spot to reach its full potential. Few perennials deliver this much season-long interest with this little fuss.